5 Fascinating Facts About Ben Sears: New Zealand’s Rising Fast Bowler
Ben Sears, the talented right-arm medium-fast bowler, is all set to make his Test debut for New Zealand against Australia on March 8th. With an impressive record of 58 wickets in 16 first-class matches, Sears has earned his place in the national team after Will O’Rourke’s unfortunate hamstring injury. Before witnessing Sears’ skills on the Test stage, let’s explore five intriguing facts about this rising star.
1. A Dual International: T20I Debut
Ben Sears has already made a name for himself in the world of cricket by representing New Zealand in 13 T20 International (T20I) matches. The talented bowler made his T20I debut against Bangladesh in 2021 and has since scalped 16 wickets with an economy rate of 7.82 runs per over. Although his T20I career has been promising, Sears is now ready to embrace the challenges of the Test format.
2. Impressive Performance Against Australia
One of the primary reasons behind Sears’ inclusion in the Test squad is his outstanding performance against Australia in the recent T20I series. In two matches against the Aussies, Sears claimed three wickets in six overs, conceding 50 runs. His ability to trouble top Australian batsmen was evident when he dismissed Travis Head, Glenn Maxwell, and Matthew Short. This exceptional performance earned him well-deserved recognition and a place in the Test playing XI.
3. A Cricketing Legacy: Following in His Father’s Footsteps
Cricket runs in the blood of the Sears family. Ben Sears’ father, Michael Sears, was also a professional cricketer. Although he never represented the national team, Michael played 20 first-class and 13 List-A matches as a right-arm pace bowler. His bowling skills were commendable, with 52 wickets in first-class cricket and 23 wickets in List-A matches at an economy rate of 4.10.
4. U19 World Cup Journey
In 2016, Ben Sears proudly donned the New Zealand jersey at the U19 World Cup held in Bangladesh. Despite a disappointing campaign for the New Zealand U19 team, Sears’ talent and potential caught the attention of cricket enthusiasts. Interestingly, three other players from that U19 batch, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, and Finn Allen, have also gone on to represent the national team. This highlights the caliber of talent that emerged from that particular U19 World Cup squad.
5. From Law Student to Pace Sensation
Before embarking on his cricketing journey, Ben Sears was pursuing a degree in law. His decision to switch gears and focus on his cricketing prowess paid off immensely. In the 2020/21 season, Devon Conway, a teammate from Wellington, spoke highly of Sears, labeling him as one of the quickest bowlers in New Zealand and potentially even in the world. During practice sessions, Sears consistently troubled renowned batsmen like Conway and Tom Blundell with his raw pace, leaving a lasting impression on his teammates and coaches alike.
Conclusion
As Ben Sears prepares to make his Test debut against Australia, cricket fans around the world eagerly await the performance of this talented fast bowler. With his impressive T20I record, noteworthy performances against Australia, a cricketing lineage, and the transition from law student to pace sensation, Sears has already made a mark in the cricketing world. It will be fascinating to witness his growth and contributions to the New Zealand national team as he embarks on this new chapter of his career.
